DE19807303B4 - Telecommunication-compatible digital still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

Telecommunication-capable digital still camera, with:
a conversion device (10) which converts an optical image into a frame-forming digital image signal;
a microphone (2) which converts sound into an electronic audio signal;
a receiver (11) receiving an electromagnetic signal corresponding to a telephone system;
a modification unit (13) which converts a received electromagnetic signal into a frame-forming digital image signal;
means (4) alternatively displaying a frame based on the digital image signal from the transducer device (10) or from the modification unit (13),
a combining unit (23) for combining the frame-wise digital image signal with the electronic audio signal to form a combination signal;
a selector (28), which designates a remote device with its specific telephone number, a storage device (29) for storing at least one specific telephone number, and a blocking device (31) for combining the digital image signal with the electronic audio signal by the combining unit (23) only ...

Description

The The present invention relates to a digital still camera, an electronic image into a digital, image representing electronic Convert signal and save the digital electronic signal. In particular, the present invention relates to a digital still camera, which is capable of using a cordless or wireless telephone system with to communicate to a remote location.

On The field of digital still cameras or "still cameras" are various types of communication or transmission known from digital electronic picture signals. A known transfer mode is the remote digital electronic image data Device, such as a computer, through the connection of a digital still camera with a cordless phone over a modem and the signal to the remote device, which with connected to a telephone line.

The Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Nos. 6-133081 and 6-268582 reveal a digital still camera and a cordless phone, which in a single housing are included. The purpose of combining the digital still camera and the wireless telephone is in a non-separable housing therein, memory for storing the digital electronic image signals save. In other words, the digital electronic image signals become one at a remote from the digital still camera Place arranged computer with a large memory transfer.

such On the other hand, digital electronic image signals must be in one Storage device stored in the digital still camera is provided. Those described in JP 6-133081 and 6-268582 Devices, which one through a digital still camera taken image information to a arranged at a remote location Transfer computer, are disadvantageous in that the system does not provide image information of can receive a distant place. In addition, the devices are costly and unfavorable because a large capacity storage as well a long transmission time for image data either in the conventional Format or compressed format are necessary.

The US 5,479,206 describes a digital still camera that is suitable with the help of appropriate additional devices, such as telephones, for telecommunications. The US 5,491,507 and the DE 19 528 424 A1 describe communication devices, such as mobile phones, that can transmit images.

It It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved digital To create a single camera with a cordless phone in a single housing, which a digital electronic image signal to another digital Single-frame camera transferred can.

According to the invention Problem solved by the combination of features of claim 1 or 14, the under claims have preferred embodiments of the invention to the content.

Further Tasks and benefits are detailed below Description of the Preferred Embodiment of the Present Invention in conjunction with the attached Drawing visible. It shows:

1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a digital still camera according to the present invention;

2 a block diagram of an embodiment of the digital still camera according to the present invention; and

3 10 is a block diagram of a transmission / reception state of the digital still camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As 1 shows, has a digital still camera or "still camera" according to an embodiment of the present invention, a microphone 2 and a speaker 3 in a single or common housing.

Furthermore, the digital still camera includes a display device (color liquid crystal display) 4 of reflection type without backlighting to save electrical energy indicative of a color image of 60,000 pixels. The display device 4 serves as a touch panel of dial buttons on a digital phone.

A rotatable camera lens 5 is normally directed in the direction shown by the arrow D, which does not correspond to the view of the line of sight of the viewer, which the display device 4 observe. However, the lens may be 5 rotate so that it is in the line of sight of Be trachter, if this is the display device 4 consider. The lens is in 1 represented by the dashed lines.

The speaker 3 and the microphone 2 can work in a near mode or remote mode. In close mode, the operators place their ears and mouth close to the speaker 3 and the microphone 2 , On the other hand, in remote mode, operators can keep their ears and mouth relatively distant from the speaker and microphone.

A manual switch 6 switches the display device 4 on to display a still image or single image. The speaker 3 and the microphone 2 automatically switch to the remote mode when the display device 4 through the manual switch 6 is activated.

An image request request switch 7 requests the transmission of an image from the remote device. An input switch 8th activates the touchpad on the display 4 which accepts an image input by a pen. The key 9 represents a shutter release button.

In 2 the thick line indicates the information flow and the thin line indicates the control signal flow.

In particular, the digital still camera according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a CCD camera 10 for converting an optical image into digital electronic image signals; and a transmission / reception exchange device 11 for receiving or transmitting an electromagnetic signal generated in accordance with a cordless telephone system. Next is a demodulator 12 for demodulating the received electromagnetic signal associated with the output of the transceiver 11 connected is. An A / D converter 13 converts the electromagnetic signals into digital electronic frame signals and is connected to the output of the demodulation unit 12 connected. A switching unit 15 is with the output of the A / D converter 13 connected. A withdrawal unit 22 is provided for extracting a frame signal component and an audio signal component from the digital electronic signals and the output of the switching unit 15 connected. A store 14 stores the frame signal from the extraction unit 22 or the digital still image signal from the CCD camera 10 , A loudspeaker 3 generates audio signals corresponding to the electromagnetic signals from the cordless telephone system passing through the transmission / reception exchange apparatus 11 and the demodulator 12 were received. A first mode change unit 18 activates the speaker 3 in a near or far mode. A first discrimination unit 16 detects an image signal from the digital electronic signal generated by the A / D converter 13 has been converted and automatically controls the switching unit 15 from the first mode to the second mode. A display control unit 20 controls the display device 4 such that it indicates whether the received electromagnetic signal contains a still picture signal or an audio signal, and is connected to the output of the first discriminating unit 16 connected. A first blocking or blocking unit 17 is intended to be the first mode change unit 18 to "OFF" to prevent the generation of a voice signal in the second mode by the speaker, and is connected to the output of the first discrimination unit 16 connected. An image receive / request switch 7 switches the switching unit 15 from a first mode to a second mode and is connected to the input of the switching unit 15 connected. A telephone number receiving unit 38 receives a telephone number signal generated according to the cordless telephone system from another remote device, such as another digital still camera or a mobile phone, and is connected to the output of the A / D converter 13 connected. A return answer receiving unit 40 receives a second response signal generated in accordance with the cordless telephone system from another remote device and is connected to the output of the A / D converter 13 connected. Finally, an auto-activation unit 19 with the output of the first discrimination unit 16 connected.

In addition to the above-mentioned construction, the digital still camera according to an embodiment of the present invention further comprises a microphone for receiving an electromagnetic signal from the remote device and outputting a corresponding audio signal and displaying a corresponding image 2 for converting a voice into an electronic audio signal and a second mode change unit 21 to activate the microphone 2 in a first / second mode. Next is a first modification unit 41 provided a frame signal with a smaller number of pixels than a frame signal from the memory 14 to build. A combination unit 23 combines the electronic audio signal of the second mode change unit 21 and the frame signal from the first modification unit 41 , A first mixing unit 34 mixes the still image signal of the first modification unit 41 and a signal input through the stylus when an input switch 8th is switched to "ON". A selection unit 24 alternatively gives one of the signals of the combination unit 23 and the first mixing unit 34 out. A dialer 28 is planned to. dial a telephone number which designates another remote device, such as a type of touchpad. A telephone number memory 29 stores telephone numbers and a first comparison device 30 and a second comparison device 47 are provided to the by the selector 28 dialed phone number with the in memory 29 to compare saved specific phone number. A second blocking unit 31 prevents the combination unit 23 the electronic audio signal from the second mode switching device 21 with the frame signal from the first modification unit 41 combined if the dialed telephone number designating another remote device is in memory 29 stored special phone number matches. A control unit 43 controls the first modification unit 41 and is with the second comparison device 47 connected. A second modification unit 35 decides whether the frame signal stored in the memory is a signal of a first or a second type, so that it can be determined whether the number of pixels for the output to the display device 4 must be reduced. A reply transmission unit 39 generates a first response signal indicative of receipt of an electromagnetic signal transmitted from another remote device, and is connected to the output of the telephone number receiving unit 38 connected. A second mixing unit 25 mixes the signals from the selector 24 , the reply-receiving unit 39 and the dialer 28 , A D / A converter 26 converts the signal of the second mixing unit 25 into an analog signal. A modulation unit 27 modulates the signal of the D / A converter 26 and gives it to the transmission / reception exchange device 11 from. Finally, an image transfer request switch 32 provided and with the entrance of the second locking unit 31 connected.

The first modification unit 41 has a first reduction unit 42 to set the pixel count of the frame signal from the memory 14 to reduce. The second modification unit 35 has a second discriminating unit 37 on to decide if the frame signal from memory 14 of a first or a second type, and a second reducing unit 36 to the pixel number of the frame signal from the memory 14 reduce and the resulting image to the display device 4 issue.

The digital still camera according to an embodiment of the present invention further comprises a memory card 46 and an input / output interface unit 44 to receive an image signal from such a memory card 46 to the store 14 issue.

The transmission / reception exchange device 11 can amplify the transmitted and received electromagnetic signals as well as transmit these signals.

The input / output interface 44 serves as a unit for retrieving the digital electromagnetic signal from the memory 14 and has a unit to connect to an external device.

The memory card 46 also serves as a unit for retrieving the digital electronic signals from the memory 14 and is detachably inserted into the digital still camera. In other words, a slot for the memory card 46 serves as an element for removing the digital still image memory or frame memory from the digital still camera.

The digital still camera according to the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG 3 4, receives and displays a frame signal and an audio signal as an electromagnetic signal generated from a remote device according to a cordless telephone system.

moreover converts the digital still camera according to the embodiment of the present invention, an optical image in an electrical Frame signal and transfers the electrical Single frame signal to a remote device, such as a another digital still camera. At this time, the digital transmits Single-frame camera no single frame signal, if one the remote device identifying phone number matches a specific phone number, which is stored in memory, and transmits a frame signal when a phone number designating the remote device is not matches a specific phone number stored in the memory.

The above-mentioned operation of the digital still camera according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS 2 explained.

First is explained below, like an electromagnetic signal, which one according to a Cordless telephone system has generated single image, from a remote device is received and displayed, and how a electromagnetic signal containing an audio signal, the according to a cordless telephone system was created by another remote device is received and output.

As in the 2 and 3 shown, emp An antenna of the digital still camera of the present invention captures an electromagnetic signal from a remote device, such as another digital still camera, and a transceiver 11 changes to a receive mode and sends the received electromagnetic signal to the demodulator 12 from.

The demodulator 12 demodulates the electromagnetic signal and gives it to the A / D converter 13 from. The A / D converter 13 converts the demodulated electromagnetic signal into a digital electronic signal.

If the phone number receiving unit 38 from a remote device, a telephone number identifying a digital still camera of the present invention via the transceiver 11 , the demodulator 12 and the A / D converter 13 receives, returns the response transmission unit 39 a first response signal identifying the digital still camera. The first response signal is transmitted by the transmission / reception exchanger 11 through the second mixing unit 25 , the D / A converter 26 and the modulator 27 transfer.

The telephone number receiving unit 38 automatically activates the digital still camera of the present invention to receive a transmitted signal corresponding to the telephone number as an electromagnetic signal generated according to a cordless telephone system.

The signal from the A / D converter 13 becomes the switching unit 15 or the first discrimination unit 16 after the electromagnetic signal has been transmitted and processed with a frame signal from a remote device as described above.

The first discrimination unit 16 discriminates a frame signal from the digital electronic signal containing an audio signal, and automatically switches the switching unit 15 from the first mode to the second mode. At the same time, the first distinguishing unit gives 16 a corresponding control or regulating signal to the first blocking unit 17 from.

At this time, the display device shows 4 with letters or symbols that the device has received a frame or frame of audio signal.

The switching unit 15 is provided to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The first mode produces sounds through the speaker 3 and the second mode is a frame on the display 4 according to the received digital signal.

The digital still camera according to the embodiment of the present invention is set to an automatic mode. In automatic mode, the first discriminating unit switches 16 automatically the switching unit 15 from the first mode to the second mode to receive electromagnetic signals of a frame signal from the remote device.

The auto-activation unit 19 acts in the automatic mode so that the reception function of the electromagnetic signal of one frame is automatically activated according to the telephone number identifying the digital still camera of the present invention when the first discriminating unit 16 differentiates the electromagnetic signals of a single image.

In manual mode, the first discrimination unit switches 16 not automatically the switching unit 15 from the first mode to the second mode. The switching unit 15 can by a manual request switch 7 be activated in manual mode from the first mode to the second mode. In addition, in manual mode, a manual switch can control the display device 4 turn on and further a first mode change unit 18 and a second mode change unit 21 switch from the first mode to the second mode.

The switching unit 15 gives the digital electronic signal from the A / D converter 13 to the store 14 if the first distinguishing unit 16 put the device in the second mode. At this time, the first locking unit switches 17 the first mode change unit 18 to generate an audio signal in the second mode through the loudspeaker 3 to prevent.

The digital electronic signal of a frame signal in the memory unit 14 is through the switching unit 15 to the display device 4 by a second modification unit 35 issued.

An example of telephoning while viewing an image on the display 4 is the case where the device receives audio signals while a frame is being received. Here, a combination of a frame and an audio signal is received as an electromagnetic signal, which is generated according to a cordless telephone system.

When the apparatus includes a frame signal and an audio signal containing electromagnetic receives the first signal, detects the first discrimination unit 16 an audio signal and switches the first switching unit 15 in the first mode. The switching unit 15 gives the electromagnetic signal to the extraction unit 22 out.

The removal unit 22 extracts an audio signal component from the combination signal containing both a frame and a frame signal as well as an audio signal to the speaker 3 and extracts a frame signal component to the display device 4 head for.

At this time, the first lock unit represents 17 the first mode change unit 18 to "ON" and that of the extraction unit 22 The extracted audio signal becomes the first mode change unit 18 supplied as well as that of the extraction unit 22 extracted single image signal the memory 14 fed. The audio signal is transmitted via the first mode change unit 18 through the speaker 3 output and the frame signal by the modification unit 35 processed and on the display device 4 displayed.

Accordingly, the user of the digital still camera can watch a still image and hear a voice from a remote device as the display device 4 view the single picture while the speaker is on 3 the audio signal is generated simultaneously.

When next the mode of operation is described in which a single image signal and an audio signal transmitted through the digital still camera of the received to another remote Transfer device as follows becomes.

The digital still camera user determines a telephone number of a remote device, such as a cordless telephone, by using a dialer 28 which is called a keypad in the display 4 is formed. The dialed telephone number is assigned to an associated remote device by the transceiver 11 over the second mixing unit 25 , the D / A converter 26 and the modulation unit 27 transmitted as electromagnetic signal which is generated according to a cordless telephone system.

The D / A converter 26 Converts digital signals according to the selected telephone number into analog signals and the modulator or the modulation unit 27 modulates the analog signal so that the modulated signal to the corresponding remote device is transmitted by the transceiver 11 is transmitted as an electromagnetic signal generated according to a cordless telephone system.

The dialed phone number is also the first comparator 30 and a second comparator 47 fed.

If the user of the digital still camera in the microphone 2 speaks, the language is through the microphone 2 converted into an electronic audio signal, and the signals of the second mode change unit 21 fed. The second mode change unit 21 gives the electronic audio signals to the combination unit 23 and the electronic audio signals are sent through the D / A converter 26 and the modulator 27 by the transmission / reception exchange device 11 transfer.

The combination unit 23 can combine a still image signal received by a CCD camera while the audio signal is being transmitted. Accordingly, the audio signal and the frame signal can be transmitted simultaneously.

First, a frame signal received by the CCD camera is stored in memory 14 stored and the stored frame signal to a first modification unit 41 output.

The first modification unit 41 transmitted frame signal is sent to the combination unit 23 spent and the combination unit 23 combines the audio signals with the frame signal and outputs the combination according to the control of the second disable unit 31 from.

In more detail, the first comparator compares 30 the dialed phone number with one in the phone number memory 29 stored phone number and gives the comparison result to the second lock unit 31 out.

The telephone number memory 29 is further capable of storing at least one telephone number of both a first and a second remote device type. The first remote device type can not receive a frame, but the second remote device type can receive a frame.

The second locking unit 31 prevents the combination unit 23 it, the electronic audio signal with the digital frame signal from the first modification unit 41 to combine, if the one remote device de designated dial phone number with those in the phone number memory 29 stored phone numbers of the first remote device type. In this Case controls the second lock unit 31 the selection unit 24 so that a frame signal is not selected and output.

In contrast, the second locking unit allows 31 in that the combination unit 23 the electronic audio signal having a digital frame signal from the first modification unit 41 combined when the dialed telephone number designating a remote device with that in the telephone number memory 29 stored phone number of the second remote device type. In this case, the second lock unit controls 31 the selection unit 24 such that a frame signal is selected and output.

Accordingly, the Combining the electromagnetic signal with frame and audio signal transfer if the chosen Phone number with the specific phone number of the remote Device matches, which has a function capable of a frame signal to recieve.

The second locking unit 31 controls or controls the combination unit 23 and the selection unit 24 so that an audio signal is combined with a frame signal when the image transmission request switch 32 is activated.

Accordingly, only when the image transmission request switch 32 is activated or the selected telephone number coincides with the telephone numbers of the second remote devices, enabling the combination of the electromagnetic signal containing the frame and the audio signals.

The signal with the audio signals from the microphone 2 and the frame signal picked up by the CCD camera is transferred to another remote device, which transmits a frame signal through the D / A converter 26 , the modulator 27 and the transmission / reception exchange device 11 can receive.

As described above, the present invention according to the embodiment a digital still camera for the telecommunications ready, which in a non-separable housing a cordless Telephone, which receive a digital electronic signal and can indicate which one by another digital still camera recorded frame designates or identifies.

As well The present invention provides a digital still camera ready, which suitably audio signals and image signals can receive without one disorder or cluttering occurs, and a user can not only in ordinary Speak way, but also look at the displayed frame.

Also The present invention provides a digital still camera ready, which at the same time both an audio signal and a Communicate or transmit image signal and can receive, and with different phone types including one usual Phone can communicate, which can not receive image signals, but even with the same digital still camera types with minimal Communication time can communicate.

In summary, the present invention relates to a telecommunications capable single-frame camera with a device 10 which converts an optical image into a digital electromagnetic signal indicative of a frame with a receiver 11 which receives an electromagnetic signal generated according to a cordless telephone system with a modification unit 13 which modifies the electromagnetic signal into a digital electronic signal indicative of a frame and a device 4 alternatively providing a frame based on the digital electronic signal from the transducer means 10 or from the modification unit 13 displays.

Even though the present embodiments have been shown and described the invention, it can be seen that different changes and modifications feasible are without departing from the scope of the present invention, which by the attached claims and their equivalents is fixed.

Claims (14)

Telecommunication-capable digital still camera, comprising: a conversion device ( 10 ) which converts an optical image into a frame-forming digital image signal; a microphone ( 2 ) which converts sound into an electronic audio signal; a recipient ( 11 ) receiving an electromagnetic signal corresponding to a telephone system; a modification unit ( 13 ) which converts a received electromagnetic signal into a frame-defining digital image signal; a facility ( 4 Alternatively, a frame based on the digital image signal from the converter device (FIG. 10 ) or of the modification unit ( 13 ), a combination unit ( 23 ) to make a single picture combining representative digital image signal with the electronic audio signal to form a combination signal; a dialing device ( 28 ), which denotes a remote device with its specific telephone number, a memory device ( 29 ) for storing at least one specific telephone number, and with a blocking device ( 31 ) to combine the digital image signal with the electronic audio signal through the combination unit ( 23 ) only if the specific telephone number of the remote device is identical to that in the storage device ( 29 ) matches the specific phone number stored. Digital still camera according to claim 1, characterized by a memory ( 14 ) which receives the digital image signals from the converter device ( 10 ) or of the modification unit ( 13 ), wherein the display device ( 4 ) on the memory ( 14 ) accesses. Digital still camera according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the display device ( 4 ) is a non-backlit reflective color liquid crystal display unit. Digital still camera according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by an auto-activation unit ( 19 ) to automatically activate the receiver ( 11 ) according to an electromagnetic signal generated according to a telephone system and which identifies a digital still camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Digital still camera according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized by a loudspeaker ( 3 ) which generates an audio signal corresponding to the electromagnetic signal generated according to a cordless telephone system and received by the receiver ( 11 ) was received. Digital still camera according to claim 5, characterized by a device which is connected to the receiver ( 11 ) is responsive to the display ( 4 ) to indicate whether the received electromagnetic signal comprises a frame signal or a combination signal. Digital still camera according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by a switching unit ( 15 ), which consists of a first mode for generating the audio signal that is generated by the receiver ( 11 ) received electromagnetic signal through the speaker ( 3 ) switches to a second mode to display the image sent by the receiver ( 11 ) corresponds to the electromagnetic signal received on the display device ( 3 ). Digital still camera according to claim 7, characterized by a device ( 17 ) to the speaker ( 3 ) to prevent the generation of the audio signal in the second mode. Digital still camera according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by a discriminating unit ( 16 ) which discriminates an electromagnetic signal having only a frame signal from an electromagnetic signal with a combination signal, thereby to produce the switching device (Fig. 15 ) to control automatically. Digital still camera according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by a request switch ( 7 ) for manually controlling the switching device ( 15 ). Digital still camera according to claim 5, characterized by a removal unit ( 22 ), which extracts an audio signal component from the electromagnetic signal, which includes both a frame signal and an audio signal, to the speaker ( 3 ) and to extract a frame signal component from the same electromagnetic signal to 4 ), the display device ( 4 ) can display the single image while at the same time the audio signal from the speaker ( 3 ) is produced. Digital still camera according to claim 5, wherein the loudspeaker ( 3 ) and the microphone ( 2 ) a first mode function in which they are used such that the user approaches each of his ear and mouth, and a second mode function in which the user positions his ear and mouth away from them, respectively. Digital still camera according to claim 12, characterized by a manual switch ( 6 ), which the display device ( 4 ), whereby the loudspeaker ( 3 ) and the microphone ( 2 ) automatically switch to the second mode when the display device ( 4 ) through the manual switch ( 6 ) is activated. Telecommunication-capable digital still camera: with a conversion device ( 10 ) which converts an optical image into a digital image signal; with a microphone ( 2 ) which converts sound into an electronic audio signal; with a selection unit ( 24 ) which selects the frame designating digital image signal or the electronic audio signal; with a first transmission element which transmits an electromagnetic signal generated in accordance with a telephone system to a to designate remote device with a telephone number; with a second transmission element, which is transmitted by the selection unit ( 24 ) transmits selected signal as an electromagnetic signal generated in accordance with a telephone system and transmits included frame signal or audio signal to the designated remote device; with a memory ( 29 ) which stores at least one specific telephone number; and with a blocking unit ( 31 ), which selects the digital image signal designating the single image by the selection unit ( 24 ) when the telephone number designating the remote device matches the specific telephone number.